Bibby double downs Leigh
- Wigan Warriors win their first game of the 2021 season beating Leigh Centurions.
- A double from Jake Bibby helps the Cherry and Whites to a narrow victory.
- FT | Leigh Centurions 18-20 Wigan Warriors.
A dramatic second half comeback saw Wigan record their first win of the 2021 season in a 20-18 victory over Leigh Centurions.
A double for Jake Bibby, as well as tries for Zak Hardaker and Joe Bullock guided Adrian Lam’s men passed the Betfred Super League newboys.
Leigh made the first score of the game in the fifth minute when after a spell of pressure from the Leythers, Liam Hood ran from dummy half to touch down.
It was the Betfred Super League newboys who grabbed the second try through ex-Wiganer Iain Thornley. A John Bateman knock on gave the Centurions good field position, with Thornley finishing off the resulting move.
John Duffy’s men struck again in the 26th minute through Ben Hallewell. A Hood break saw the hooker chip in behind for Hallewell to collect and touch down.
Wigan opened their account for the evening in the 36th through centre Bibby, who was filling in on the wing following an injury to Jai Field. After a good spell of Wigan pressure, a right edge move ended with Willie Isa finding Bibby to score in the corner.
Scorer turned provider just three minutes later when Bibby made a break down the right. Coming infield, he was able to offload to the supporting Hardaker who touched down.
It took until the 63rd minute for the first score of the second half, the try coming through Bullock. A clever offload form Sam Powell to Harry Smith saw the half back find space in the middle of the field. He then slipped in the onrushing forward to touch down.
The Warriors were at it again three minutes later, when Hardaker found Bibby to score his second of the game. The full back ran close to the length of the field, evading Leigh tackles until caught 20 metres out. However, he was able to offload to the supporting Bibby to score.
Leigh Centurions: Ryan Brierley, Lewis Tierney, Keanan Brand, Iain Thornley, Matty Russell, Blake Wallace, Joe Mellor, Mark Ioane, Liam Hood, Adam Sidlow, Ben Hellewell, Matty Gee, Jordan Thompson.
Interchanges: Nathaniel Peteru, Josh Eaves, Nathan Mason, Matty Foster.
Tries: Hood (5′), Thornley (24′), Hallewell (26′)
Goals: Brierley (3/3)
Wigan Warriors: Zak Hardaker, Jai Field, Willie Isa, Jake Bibby, Umyla Hanley, Thomas Leuluai, Harry Smith, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Joe Bullock, John Bateman, Liam Farrell, Oliver Partington.
Interchanges: Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Joe Shorrocks, Morgan Smithies.
Tries: Bibby (36′, 66′), Hardaker (39′), Bullock (63′)
Goals: Hardaker (2/4)
Referee: Ben Thaler
